BY AUSTIN OYIBODE, ASABA
For the past 23 years, Delta state has been under the rule of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). From 1999 till date the party has held the state to the jugular, taking decisions for the people, whether the decision goes down well with them or not. The people have been subjected to the whims and caprices of the party whose leaders impose decisions on all Deltans. The people have no say because the party transmits power among believers in the PDP. And the cycle continues in every four years. That has been the fate of the people for the past 23 years.
Members of the PDP see the party decisions as supreme and everyone is whipped into line, whether favourable to them, their family members or not. It’s like a cult where decisions taken by the minority leaders are not subject to debate. And adherents are bound to accept without questioning the rationale behind the decision. It is what they agree to release to the public that must go out, whatever is not allowed remains party secret. And the government operates in that cult-like manner. And as soon as agreement is reached, it remains binding.
For the years under review, so much money has entered the state but painfully people at the corridor of power have allegedly frittered the money away, either amassed and kept for their generations yet unborn or transported to foreign accounts and used for the development of homes in faraway countries. Among the nine states in the Niger Delta region, Delta state receives higher than others in terms of 13 percent derivation, federal allocation and others. But little of such money is spent for the development of the state.
While we cannot explicitly say that succeeding governments have not added values to the state, the money spent is quite infinitesimal compared to the quantum of funds accruable to the state from the federal government. Even at that most of the roads the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa claims to have executed do not meet standards in Nigeria despite the billions flowing in from the federal government. Most of the roads fail within the shortest period of time. So much money goes out unaccounted for while the people at the grassroot and the less privileged groan in pains.
Delta is the second richest state after Lagos. But a great portion of the money is reportedly shared among godfathers, party leaders and powerful government officials. Contracts are awarded to government cronies; hence the money circulates among friends of the government in power. If the money accruable to the state is used to develop the state, Delta would have been comparable to Dubai where many of them travel to for pleasure or vacation. From the board of internal revenue service to DESOPADEC through to ministries in the state and the government house, billions are frittered away by officials of government. These people care less for the ordinary Deltan. As far as their desires are met, the ordinary Deltan can perish.
Their vision is to enrich themselves, their families and keep others in perpetual slavery and servitude. Every year, graduates are produced from universities in the state but there are no jobs for them. Even when some employment opportunities are opened, they are mainly reserved for party loyalists and close allies of party leaders. Hence, many youths are on Delta streets having no jobs. Their desire is to keep the people poor so as to remain perpetually loyal to them and see them as demi-gods.
Many of these leaders do not have the interest of Deltans at heart. Anybody can perish for them to have their way. As much as it enriches their pockets and their families, the suffering of anyone is immaterial and of no consequence. They deceive the people to achieve their pre-determined objective. This is the fate of the average Deltan. This cycle has continued in this manner for the past 23 years.
Over the years, there has actually been no opposition to their hold on the state. The All Progressives Congress which should have been their nightmare has been engulfed in internal battles that have refused to give way for peace. This is the party that should have rooted the PDP out of the state but it has been consistently weakened by internal squabbles and fights. But today, the Labour Party is here. It is now the last hope of the people of Delta state.
The vision of the Labour Party is to create better life for all Nigerians, including the people of Delta state. In the upcoming 2023 general elections, Labour Party will give the PDP a great run for the office of the governor in Delta. Deacon Ken Pela, the governorship candidate of the party is a square peg in a square hole. His vision for the people of Delta is unequaled as he is set to liberate the state from the shackles of the ruling People’s Democratic Party and set it on a part of prosperity for all Deltans.
Already, the ruling PDP has been fractured by internal squabbles and multiple litigations between the two factional guber candidates. Members of the party are also divided into two factions, hence blocking their unity in the fight to win the governorship of the state. The All Progressives Congress with Ovie Omo-Agege as guber candidate is never an option as the APC is the present party that has plunged the nation into avoidable crisis. Hence, it is never an option for the people of Delta state. The APC and the PDP have destroyed and stolen the wealth of Nigerians. As at present, the two ruling parties have lost value and Nigerians and the people of Delta have one alternative which is the Labour Party and the Labour Party alone.
The Labour Party is set to run an all-inclusive government. Its logo which comprises father, mother and child envisions the creation of a livable environment for families, a great opportunity for growth and development of families and homes. The Labour Party has the objective of canceling all the past evils of the ruling APC and PDP and begin a new life for all people of Delta state.
It has the agenda of creating jobs for all Deltans and making everyone have means of livelihood. The Labour party is built on the principle of justice, equality and better life, devoid of corruption, tribalism and nepotism. The party will harness opportunities in the state and ensure everyone is able to provide food for their individual homes. The government to be run by Deacon Ken Pela in Delta will be far removed from the manner the PDP has run the state for the last 23 years.
The blue-print is to provide opportunity for all Deltans, better living conditions and environment for self-development. The job creation opportunity will be open to all Deltans irrespective of party affiliation and tribe. Ken Pela is set to run a pan Delta administration where tribe will not be considered as in the present administration for employment and inclusion in government packages and programmes.
Delta being one of the richest states in the country, Ken Pela will deploy the resources in the state to create avenues for youth employment and job creation. There is so much money in Delta but past and present leaders have deceived the people to believe that there is no money to meet the needs of the people. This is what Ken Pela’s government is set to change. The money in the state is for all Deltans and in his government, he will deploy the funds from all avenues to make life good for all, create jobs, beautify roads and cities, building housing for all and engage women and youths in creative enterprises.
Deacon Ken Pela’s administration will guarantee a minimum standard of living for everyone. Building on social democracy, Ken Pela aims at promoting and defending social democratic principles and ideals for the purpose of achieving social justice, progress and unity in Delta state. As all Deltans are aware, there are many ethnic divides in the state, but his government will bridge all gaps and cement every loophole as it will operate on an equal opportunity for all, jettisoning tribal and political affiliations.
At the same time, Ken Pela will roll out a robust economic empowerment programme for all Deltans, a development which will lead to prosperity for all residents. His government will lead to advancement and happiness for all Deltans. With his vast knowledge of the terrain, he will harness all the agricultural possibilities for food production, with consequent availability of food for all to take care of their homes.
One of the biggest agenda of the Labour Party in Delta is job creation. Delta state is backward in terms of job creation. There are graduates who are riding okada and tricycles all over the state. The present PDP government has failed to create jobs for them. The only projects visible in Delta are substandard roads which dot every street but cannot stand the test of time. But in the coming government of Ken Pela, there will be massive job creation for all youths, a diversion from the existing pattern in the ruling PDP. In Ken Pela’s administration, Delta youths cannot graduate from school and there will be no job for them.
From 2023, there will be a massive transformation in Delta state. Every local government has potentials which can be harnessed for the good of the people. There will be mass revolution of jobs and food for all. Today, every Deltan is crying of hardship. Ken Pela’s administration will wipe away tears from the eyes of families and replace it with hope and joy.
For the years PDP has held the state to the jugular, Deltans have been searching for a vibrant man who can challenge the status quo and coordinate the state in areas of security and education, health among other sectors. Now, Ken Pela is here for this purpose. Members of the Labour Party are die-hard people. They are in the party because of the ideals of the party and not what they can get to eat. They are part of the teeming Nigerians who are craving for change and are searching for a man who will utilize the resources of the state for the good of all residents.
In a short address after his emergence as the party governorship candidate in Delta, Deacon Ken Pela said his emergence has ended the search for a man to move Delta away from PDP and APC. 2023 will be a new beginning for all Deltans. Let’s join hands to make this a reality and we shall all be glad we did.
